Why decide on Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Playa del Carmen is an amazing place to spend time. It has all the advantages of a Mexican Caribbean resort -- a dazzling, white-sand beach, turquoise sea, a huge range of bars, restaurants and places to stay -- and yet it has managed to retain a relaxed, low-rise village atmosphere which is unlike the large-scale tourist resorts elsewhere on the coast. There is plenty to do and see in Playa and the town is growing fast. But the atmosphere is anything but hectic and it is the gentle surf that seems to dominate the pace of life.

Playa del Carmen has a very international feel, and it is easy to speak English in many places. People will be interested in where you are from and what you think of their country. Mexicans are very family-oriented, so expect to be asked about your marital status and your children. Although many women work, the Mexican household is still quite traditional and in Playa del Carmen you will find Mexicans from all over the country who have gravitated here to work in hotels and tourism. Being such a newly formed town, the cultural customs are not as strong as in other towns of Mexico.

Playa del Carmen has plenty of beach bars and nightclubs to keep you entertained late into the night. Most of the bars are open-air and have street side and outdoor seating. The major clubs are located on or around calle 12, and while there is usually an entrance fee, women often get in for free. Playa is full of restaurants offering international cuisine such as Italian, Argentinean and Sushi, as well as Mexican and Mayan.

Getting around Playa del Carmen:

Playa del Carmen is relatively small and students will be able to get around on foot most of the time. Taxis are widely available and a journey within the town should only cost around $15-20 pesos ($2-3 US).Students can also rent a bicycle for $10-15 US per week (a refundable deposit of $30-40 US is required).

Weather in Playa del Carmen:

Playa del Carmen has a sub-tropical climate, which means it's almost always warm. The annual average temperature is about 27C or 80F. Humidity is also quite high. Regardless of what time of year you come, you will have great beach days and the sea is always warm enough to swim in.